Popeyes set to enter Philippines' competitive fast food chicken scene

This is the American chicken chain’s first major master franchise development agreement in Asia.

Popeyes has signed an exclusive master franchise agreement with Kuya J Holdings Group to launch the fast food chain in the Philippines.

“We are very excited to sign our first major development agreement for the Popeyes brand in Asia. We believe that our passion for food at Popeyes will resonate well with guests in the Philippines,” Alexandre Santoro, President of Popeyes, said in an announcement. “Our partner, Kuya J Group, brings years of local expertise and a keen understanding of consumers in the Philippines.”

Kuya J Group is the owner and operator of over 100 of its eponymous restaurants in the Philippines.

“We are proud to partner with Popeyes to launch and develop this great brand in the Philippines. The Philippines is a large and growing market, and we are looking forward to serving the high-quality food that Popeyes offers to the country’s more than 100 million people,” Kuya J Group chairman Lowell Yu added.

U.S.-based Popeyes was founded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1972 and is known for its spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and other regional items. It has since become one of the world’s largest chicken quick service restaurants with over 2,900 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world.

Popeyes has yet to give a date on when exactly their chain will arrive in the country, which already has an established competitive fast food chicken scene with major players such as Jollibee, McDonald's, Greenwich among others.

(Photo credit: Popeyes Facebook page)